Hawaiihas a plethora of great beaches to enjoy and, if you don't already, you'll be sure to find a favorite soon. For some people, it's the surf conditions that make the difference. For others, it's the potential for a great tan. But the real secret to a great beach day anywhere? It's all in what you pack!

THE BAG

For my first dozen or so trips to the beach here, I recycled my Tory Sport shopping bags to carry all my beach essentials. The bags are adorable (those preppy blue and green stripes!) and made out of a nylon-esque material that's relatively sand and water resistant. However, the bags are also shapeless and have zero pockets. The contents of my bag spilled out every time I set one down and I always brought home at least a few pounds of unwanted sand.

That being said, an investment in a dedicated beach bag pays for itself. Look for a large bag with enough structure to stay upright, a few pockets for smaller items, and is made out of a material that can withstand the elements.

SUN ESSENTIALS

Sunscreen is a non-negotiable in life, but especially when dealing with the strong Hawaiian sun. Besides the serious risk of melanoma, sun damage is also responsible for roughly 90% of signs of aging (you'll either thank yourself or hate yourself when you're fifty #choosesunscreen).

Not all sunscreens are created equal though and the best protection usually includes incorporating multiple types into your routine. I recommend a rub-in (mousse or lotion type) sunscreen for your body. They tend to be thicker in nature than other types, but you'll know for certain if you missed a spot!

Next, pack a sunscreen specifically designed for your face (to prevent clogged pores and irritations) and protection for your lips. Plenty of chapsticks have built in SPF already, but you can step it up a notch with this lip shine.

Lastly, tuck in an oil based spray to protect your lovely locks. Prolonged sun exposure and salty water can leave your hair dry and brittle. The right products won't only prevent damage, but add shine to your soon-to-be wind swept hair! This is a personal tried and true favorite, but this spray--created by celebrity hairstylist and Oahu native Jen Atkin-- has gotten nothing but great reviews.

What not to pack? Tanning oil. If you're trying to build color, opt for a product that offers a guiltless glow + protection like this sunless tanner.

TEXTILES

While fluffy towels are dreamy, but they take up a lot of space in your bag and hardly ever dry completely. Instead, opt for a couple of Turkish towels.

TECH SUPPORT

I'm a huge advocate of putting the phone away during beach hours (your brightness only goes up so high anyway!), but there's no reason to forgo technology completely. The right tech tools can turn a simple beach outing into a beach party.

In the mood to turn it up? Pack this retro inspired speaker from the Australian "summer lifestyle'" brand SunnyLife. In addition to being sand and water resistant, this speaker literally plays your tunes anyway you like it--AM/FM, bluetooth, USB, aux cord, you name it. While you're there, pick up this underwater camera and this electric pump for all your adorable floats. (Real talk: you'll want pretty much everything SunnyLife offers...)

THE FUN STUFF

Remember that fun stuff I mentioned earlier? Here's where you pack your bag full to the brim with your favorite reading materials (I'm a novel girl, but you may be strictly magazines), beach games, and lots of snacks.

Pro tip: Once you've gathered everything you need, pack your bag ahead of time. Keeping your beach bag fully stocked ensures you won't forget anything important (like sunscreen!) when headed out the door, making those impromptu trips with friends all that much easier.